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September 18th, 2008
Shooters Ridge®, a subsidiary of ATK, has introduced a new bipod (MSRP: $145.49) with some interesting features. With aluminum legs and a quick-release mount, the new Shooters Ridge Deluxe Bipod is lighter and easier to deploy than some competitive products.
Light Weight Plus Swivel/Cant Capability
The twist-lock bipod legs are crafted from aluminum for a 30% weight savings over conventional bipods. The twist-lock adjustment allows the legs to be set at any height the shooter prefers. The new bipod features dual thrust bearings. These allow the shooter to adjust the tilt of the rifle to keep the scope reticle level on uneven ground. Shooters Ridge claims the bearings also help hunters follow moving game, presumably by allowing some traverse.
Quick Attachment Feature
The Shooters Ridge Deluxe bipod features a rapid-mounting system. Affix the cam assembly on the forward swivel and the bipod slips on and off in seconds. Internal click locks keep the bipod snugly on the firearm while the push button release lets you remove the bipod quickly and quietly. This new bipod can be used with or without a sling and is available in both 9” – 13” (40455) and 13” – 21” (40457) models. For more info, visit ShootersRidge.com, and click on “New Products”.
NOTE: This product info was supplied by Shooter’s Ridge. We haven’t field-tested one yet. “Street Price” is $105-$129.00. At that price, it is more expensive than the Harris Swivel models which can be purchased for about $85-$90 at discount vendors.
September 16th, 2008
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) reports that, less than a decade after entering the ammunition market, Minneapolis-based Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) has become the nation’s largest ammo manufacturer. The company said it is on track to deliver 1.4 billion rounds of ammunition in fiscal year 2009. Yep, that’s BILLION with a ‘B’. ATK-made ammunition now generates more revenue than all other commercial ammo brands, including Winchester and Remington. While military sales make up almost 70 percent of revenues for ATK’s $1.6 billion Armament Systems Division, ATK is aggressively working to increase its sales to target shooters and hunters, according to Business Week:
“[ATK] pushed its way into small-caliber ammunition in 2000 with an aggressive bid to run the U.S. Army’s Lake City Ammunition Plant in Independence, Mo., that made it the military’s biggest ammo supplier. It has since moved swiftly into the civilian sphere, wooing hunters and police officers with creative marketing and bold promises of better performance. Military sales make up almost 70% of revenues for ATK’s $1.6 billion Armament Systems Div., one of ATK’s fastest-growing units. On Aug. 7 the unit reported a 32% increase in sales for the last quarter, to $442 million, while profits jumped 53%, to $44 million.”
ATK’s strategies are paying off, not only in the military sector, but in the civilian sport and hunting markets as well. As a result, ATK’s stock value has more than doubled in the last 5 years, showing robust growth when many companies’ stock prices are being hammered.
ATK Expands Lake City Production Facililty
ATK announced it has received an additional $104.3 million in military small-caliber ammunition orders from the U.S. Army. Work on the contracts will be performed by ATK at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri. Working in partnership with the Army, ATK has expanded manufacturing capacity at the plant.
September 15th, 2008
The Colorado Rifle Club will be hosting the 2008 NBRSA 1000-yard Nationals at Byers, Colorado from Septermber 18-21. Many of the nation’s top long-range shooters will be competing. Thursday the 18th will be a practice day. Matches will be shot Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (9/19 through 9/21) with two light gun targets and two heavy gun targets each day. For match info and late registrations, call Jim Brummerstedt at (303) 772-5145.
Byers is located on the Colorado plains, east of Denver. The Byers facility, situated on 2080 acres, was founded in 1925. It is considered the best shooting range in the state. At the 1000 yard line (actually 1005 yards) there are 21 bench rest tables with additional benches at 300 yards and at 600 yards for load development. You can learn more about the range by visiting the Colorado Rifle Club website. Traditionally, Byers has been a challenging location, with unpredictable weather and sometimes very strong winds. Luckily, the Colorado Rifle Club has a dedicated weather page on the internet, with current conditions “web-cast” in real time.
CLICK HERE for current weather conditions in BYERS, COLORADO
September 13th, 2008
 How would you like a full-length sizing die perfectly fitted to your fired brass? At one time that required you to purchase a die blank, a special undersized reamer (a chamber reamer is too big), and send the work out to a skilled gunsmith. You could expect to have $250-$350 tied up in your custom die when all was said and done.
Now Hornady’s custom shop offers a much less expensive alternative. For $100-$120, plus shipping, Hornady will produce a custom-made die based on your reamer print, spec sheet or fired brass. (FL dies for cases up to 2.55″ COAL are $101.00; larger dies are $120.00) That’s the price for one (1) full-length sizing die. You can either order a conventional non-bushing FL die, or a FL die that uses bushings to size the case-necks. (Standard non-micrometer seaters are also available for another $20.00-$25.00.) To order, we recommend you send 3 or 4 fired cases along with a reamer print to Lonnie Hummel at Hornady Mfg., Box 1848, Grand Island, NE, 68802. Give Lonnie a call first at (800) 338-3220, ext. 208, to discuss design details and get an estimated delivery date.
Lonnie and his team of skilled machinists have produced custom dies for many top shooters. Scott Parker had Hornady produce a custom full-length die for Scott’s 6BRX. Scott reports: “The die is great. I’m very impressed. The die is a perfect fit for my brass and the sized brass has very low run-out.”
September 13th, 2008
 The NBRSA 100-yard and 200-yard Nationals will be held Oct. 6-11 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Match organizer Gary Ocock states that there are plenty of entry spots left for the match and registrations are still welcome. Four classes will be contested at the NBRSA Nationals: Light Varmint (LV), Heavy Varmint (HV), Sporter, and Unlimited (Rail guns). 4-Gun Fee is $220, 3-gun Fee is $160. Pre-Registration is required. NBRSA requires a $40 late registration fee after September 6, 2008. Match Directors anticipate three (3) relays. Shooters requesting the same bench rotation, sharing equipment must request this in writing. Camping at the range is $10/day. Click the links below to view/download registration forms in MS Word and Acrobat (.pdf) format.
| NBRSA Nat’ls Registration Form (Word Doc)
| NBRSA Nat’ls Registration Form (.pdf)
Write checks payable to AZ Benchrest. Mail checks and registration forms to Arizona Benchrest Shooters, 15231 West Gelding Drive, Surprise, AZ 85379. If you plan to attend but won’t be able to mail in your registration in time, email Gary Ocock at onehole149 [at] aol.com. For NBRSA membership information and application form, visit NBRSA.org.
September 11th, 2008
The 4th Annual Shilen Swap Meet will be held on Saturday, October 18th. The Swap Meet runs from 8am to 3pm in Shilen’s parking lot at 205 Metro Park Blvd., Ennis, Texas. All buyers and sellers are invited — and you’re welcome to just come and mingle or take a tour of the factory. Anyone can set up a table or just drop your tailgate. There are no fees and the Swap Meet will go forward rain or shine (Shilen rents a tent). Shilen provides complementary chili, frito pie and soft drinks. Shilen’s organizers noted: “Please call (972) 875-5318 if you plan on attending so we can have a rough head count. If you want to put up a table please call, fax or email us and let us know. We will add you to the list of vendors.”
Butch Lambert tells us: “Bring all your guns and gun-related stuff. No charge for anything. They will have regular tours of the shop. They are planning on a few shooting seminars also. Dr. Oltersdorf has said he will be there with his weedwacker blender serving up a few toddies, and Shilen will serve Chupacabra chili and drinks. ”
For more info, or to reserve space, call (972) 875-5318 or email jennifer.hull [at] shilen.com.
September 10th, 2008
Kelbly’s will conduct a Benchrest School at its range in North Lawrence, Ohio, September 20-21st. Past BR school sessions have earned high marks from participants. Jim Kelbly and Greg Walley will be teaching this year. Greg reports: “We still have room for a few more students at the Autumn 2008 benchrest school. (Class size is limited to twelve students.) This class is recommended for the beginner interested in benchrest competition, or the varmint-target shooter looking to optimize his rifles and loading techniques for maximum accuracy. History shows that the weather is usually good at this time of year (rare in these parts!), so we should all have a good time. No need to bring a rifle if you don’t have one, since we will be supplying benchrest rifles, ammunition, rests, wind flags, etc. The cost of the weekend class will be $250. Lunch will be provided each day.”
 Two-Day Program
The sessions will run eight hours each day, and will be geared for the beginning benchrest shooter who wants to compete in NBRSA or IBS registered group-shooting matches. Saturday’s class will be in a classroom-style setting with Q&A sessions and a slide/video presentation covering many topics:
• Use and maintenance of benchrest target rifles
• Preparation and loading of benchrest grade ammunition using custom loading tools and techniques
• The application of ballistics and load development for optimum accuracy
The Sunday session will cover hands-on shooting, benchrest technique, range condition reading, and range etiquette. Rifles, rests, wind flags, ammunition and rifle cleaning equipment will be provided for the students. Participants can bring their own rifles if desired.
For more info or to register, visit Kelby’s Benchrest School webpage, email greg [at] kelbly.com, or call (330) 683-4674.
September 9th, 2008
Varminters — here’s a corporate acquisition that could affect you. Kansas-based Coyote Jakes, Inc. has been acquired by Sellmark Corp., a Texas company with a diverse line of consumer, military, and law enforcement products. Sellmark will take over manufacturing and distribution of Coyote Jakes products, including the popular swiveling shooting benches. Sellmark Corp. will continue to offer (and honor) a lifetime warranty on Coyote Jakes shooting benches.
CLICK HERE to watch Shooting Bench VIDEO
Coyote Jakes shooting stands are made of Grade 1 Steel or high-grade aluminum. With their stable, ground-hugging 3-legged platforms, Coyote Jakes’ benches provide 360° rotation and support up to 350 pounds. The steel shooting stand weighs under 65 pounds complete, while the aluminum version weighs just 45 pounds. The shooting platforms break down into seven (7) parts for easy transport.
Coyote Jakes’ founder David Krien states that: “Sellmark’s ability to market and build brands will bring our product to more consumers.” James Sellers, CEO of Sellmark, said, “Coyote Jakes has always been known for the highest quality gun rests and shooting tables in the industry. The addition of the Coyote Jakes line [gives us a] leadership position in these product categories.” In addition to the Coyote Jakes product line, Sellmark Corp. currently manufactures shooting chairs, tree stands, trail cameras, rifle scopes, night vision equipment, boresights, red-dot sights, and military sights.
September 8th, 2008
It’s great when a talented person we know gets selected for an important job. It’s even better when that person will now serve the shooting sports community in a key role. Vanessa Warner has accepted the position of Disabled Shooting Services Manager for the NRA. This is a great choice by the NRA, and shooters nationwide will benefit.
Vanessa is a respected long-range shooter with an impressive resume in marketing and communications. She will work within the National Rifle Association’s Competitive Shooting Division to improve the opportunities for disabled and physically-impaired shooters of all ages.
Vanessa Warner (bottom row, left) at 2006 F-Class Nationals. |
Warner’s responsibilities include planning, developing, and implementing shooting and hunting programs for the disabled community. Warner also serves as Secretary for both the NRA Protest Committee and the President’s Committee on Disabled Shooting.
Vanessa has big plans for the future of the NRA’s Disabled Shooting Services: “If you picture a wagon wheel, there is a center hub and a number of spokes that all connect to the outside rim. I want Disabled Shooting Services to be the hub,” Warner said. “Each of the spokes represents a shooting discipline and the outside rim is the shooting community at large. It is my dream to have full inclusion of disabled shooters on the firing lines-to have disabled and able-bodied shooters compete ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ in matches.”
Warner can be reached at NRA Headquarters by calling (703) 267-1495. CLICK HERE to learn more about NRA’s competitive shooting programs.
September 7th, 2008
We recently spoke to Dennis DeMille, General Manager of Creedmoor® Sports and two-time NRA National High Power Rifle Champion. Dennis has been one of the driving forces in the creation of the new 6.5 Creedmoor round (see video below). He alerted us to a recent change in the 120gr version of the factory-loaded 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition.
 120gr Load Changed to Reduce Pressure
Hornady sells two types of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition, one loaded with 140gr Amax bullets and a second loaded with 120gr Amax bullets. Hornady has changed the 120gr load because there were some reports of pressure issues — stiff bolt lift and primer cratering — with the “first generation” load. The new load for the 120-grainers uses 40.3 grains of Hodgdon Varget. Previously Hornady was pushing the 120s with 44.5 grains of Hodgdon H4350. The old load was rated at 3020 fps from a 28″ barrel. According to Hornady, the new 120gr Varget load “sacrifices about 75 fps”, which means the Varget load should offer about 2945 fps velocity.
New 120gr Load Accurate and Easy on the Shoulder
Dennis DeMille recently tested the new 120gr 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition at the Camp Pendleton range. He tells us: “At 200 and 300 yards, this Varget 120gr load gives up nothing in accuracy to the previous 120gr ammunition. Shooting prone with iron sights, I was able to shoot ‘cleans’ at 200 rapid-fire. The new load is easier on the shoulder too. The 75fps reduction in velocity reduces recoil considerably. The reduced kick was pretty noticeable.”
Dennis also told us: “The new 120gr (Varget-loaded) ammo had exactly the same point of impact at 300 yards as the 140gr loaded ammo. The zero was pretty much identical at this distance.”
The new 6.5 Creedmoor 120gr ammo should be available shortly. Creedmoor Sports expects to receive supplies of the Varget-loaded 120gr ammo by the end of September. Creedmoor Sports has 6.5 Creedmoor brass, Amax bullets, and 6.5 Creedmoor reloading dies in stock right now. Click on Video below to learn more about the 6.5 Creedmore cartridge.
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